Kantor Exchange Rate Calculator

Calculation Summary

Gross Amount:

Fee Deducted:

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Net Amount Received:

function calculateExchange() { var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('exchangeAmount').value); var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('exchangeRate').value); var feePercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('kantorFee').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('kantorResult'); if (isNaN(amount) || isNaN(rate) || amount <= 0 || rate 0) { feeAmount = gross * (feePercent / 100); } var net = gross – feeAmount; document.getElementById('grossResult').innerText = gross.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('feeResult').innerText = feeAmount.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('netResult').innerText = net.toFixed(2); resultDiv.style.display = "block"; }

How to Use the Kantor Exchange Rate Calculator

A "Kantor" is a common term used in Central and Eastern Europe for a physical currency exchange bureau. Using this calculator helps you determine exactly how much local currency you will receive when trading foreign cash, accounting for the exchange rate and any hidden service fees.

Understanding the Exchange Process

When you visit a kantor, you will see two rates for every currency: Buy (Kupno) and Sell (Sprzedaż).

• Buy Rate: This is the rate the kantor uses when they are buying currency from you (you give them foreign currency, they give you local currency).
• Sell Rate: This is the rate they use when they are selling currency to you (you give them local currency, they give you foreign currency).

What is the Spread?

The "spread" is the difference between the buy and sell rates. This is effectively how the kantor makes a profit. A "tight" spread means the rates are close to the mid-market rate, which is better for the consumer. In addition to the spread, some offices may charge a fixed commission or a percentage fee, which you can input into our calculator to get an accurate net total.

Practical Example

Imagine you have 500 EUR and you want to exchange them for Polish Złoty (PLN) at a kantor in Warsaw. The display board shows a "Buy" rate of 4.31. You also notice a small sign indicating a 0.5% service fee for transactions under 1000 EUR.

1. Gross Calculation: 500 EUR × 4.31 = 2,155.00 PLN.
2. Fee Calculation: 2,155.00 PLN × 0.005 = 10.775 PLN.
3. Net Result: 2,155.00 – 10.78 = 2,144.22 PLN.

Tips for Getting the Best Rates

To maximize your money when using a kantor, follow these professional tips:

• Avoid Airports: Kantor rates at airports are notorious for having massive spreads (often 10-20% worse than city centers).
• Negotiate: Many kantors will offer a better "wholesale" rate if you are exchanging a large amount (typically over 1,000 or 2,000 units of currency).
• Check Online First: Compare the kantor's rate against the current mid-market rate found on financial news sites to see how much of a markup you are paying.
• Look for "No Commission": Most reputable kantors in tourist areas bake their profit into the spread and do not charge an additional percentage fee. If they do charge a fee, the rate should be significantly better to compensate.